Defeat, exit from the Champions League. I wonder where United go from here.
The impact it'll have on United than it will on us is bigger because it was our first time. United's era in the Champions League showed that they need surgery. It’s not about desire or whether players are committed. It is a lack of quality in the centre of their park. Plus, our midfield looks stronger than theirs — it just wouldn't be a fair derby.
Giggs will retire sooner or later. The player they have missed and not replaced him yet is Scholes. Anderson, Fletcher and Carrick are all decent midfielder's but they need a world-class player alongside them. They've even had utilise Rooney as a midfielder.
If they are to compete with us [City], Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea and Spurs they need a quality midfielder and a player of the calibre of a Sneijder or Schweinsteiger. It won't be easy now that they've lost Vidic for the rest of the season.
Fortunately, the Glazers seem supportive. If Fergie needs money to buy payers they dig deep. The buying policy in the summer was for young players, however it was an expensive spree.
De Gea was expensive, Jones and Young too. Jones has potential to become a top player, but the others two are average at best. But United have Lindegaard who is miles ahead of De Gea and will sooner or later get a run of games.
They didn’t sign Sneijder in the summer and are living to regret it. If they don't do so in the summer, they'll certainly won't be able to compete in the next seasons Champions League.
If United want to compete for the knock-out stages of the Champions League and Premier League next season — they need a new world class quality to reach that level.
Fergie will certainly have his work cut out.
Fergie has to sign a playmaker
posted on 14/12/11
I honestly dont know what people have seen in Lindergaard to suggest he's miles ahead of De Gea. Benfica game aside, he's had virtually nothing to do in all the games he's played.
posted on 14/12/11
Well we got to the final and won the PL last year with a weaker team than what we have now, and against pretty much the same teams (I'm trying to say nobody else has really reinforced/strengthened their team bar City and Spurs, CFC, AFC and LFC haven't).
Also I think it depends on your definition of the term 'compete', if you mean it in the sense of being able to WIN the PL then yes we may come up just short due to our midfield. However if you mean being able to pick up results and stay in the mix against and with the big teams then we certainly can still do that.
But yep, we do need to bring in a CM or two, especially now with the injuries mounting up.
To be honest though, you are a good poster, and not here to wum like most rival fans do here (and me on other boards), which I respect, but we've heard this so many times! Guess you just want to have your say, so fair enough!
I still think we can win the League, especially if we get knocked out early in the Europa, no travelling, less possible injuries, and focusing on one trophy.
I full expect us to finish in the top 2 at least, and my money is still on us to win it, but as time goes by it gets harder to be so sure we can win it, what with City refusing to slip up, our injuries mounting up all the time, and the likes of CFC, AFC and Spurs keeping up with the pace.
It's very tough to call this year, hopefully this will be the best PL Title race ever
posted on 14/12/11
I honestly think Ferguson will go for Modric and probably get him as Spurs are on the crest of a wave... A bit like Ipswich were early on in the 2000s
posted on 14/12/11
Bubbly,
I do apologise for posting this if it has been poster before.
I just wanted to hear your opinions on United's current situation. That's all.
posted on 14/12/11
Yeah I know, that's fine! Just expect many to say what the likes of DaveUnited and Hippo said
I think De Gea is very good at masking his worries/fears on the pitch, he comes across as very calm and collected but I think he worries quite a bit, and I think this is actually the main reason he's been making quite a few errors.
However in time I think he can become a keeper very much in the mould of VDS, level headed and reliable.
posted on 14/12/11
CallIng De Gea average is a joke , Hart makes more mistakes and is 5 years older
posted on 14/12/11
I think De gea is fine,the media did go overboard when he made them early mistakes but they have reconised he has made the most saves,dont know if that is still the case though.
Yeah I know, that's fine! Just expect many to say what the likes of DaveUnited and Hippo said
dont be evil
posted on 14/12/11
tell us something we don't know, but like last season we have found a way to compete and are 2 points behind. But United fans have the comfort of thinking about Wembley, Barca and Moscow.......it's a nice thought, as you do have cup shockers sometimes!
posted on 15/12/11
"CallIng De Gea average is a joke , Hart makes more mistakes and is 5 years older"
Hard to call on this season's performances. I don't think De Gea has been given the best of chances early on in the season and he's been pilloried because of the obvious comparison to his predecessor.
The way I see it, without Vidic, your defence was like Bolton's. They are easy enough to open up and they rely on Jaaskelainen to help out. Bolton concede a lot of goals, but this doesn't make Jussi a bad keeper, just an overworked one. And early on, I think De Gea was as well. If he was as bad as people said he was, you'd have conceded an awful lot more goals than you did.
Joe is having a similar issue. Our defence isn't as together this season, but Joe is prone to the odd mistake. Usually mentally nodding off when he's not kept busy. But he has had to work harder to keep the opposition out this season.
posted on 15/12/11
Leopold, some decent points, but the big difference is the lack of a stable defence in fornt of De Gea, it changes almost every game, Hart doesn't have that problem.
The lad will come good once he's filled out a bit and got used to the game here. Harts a good bit older and did benefit from time on loan at a smaller club out of the limelight. De Gea has come in, aged 20 (very young for a keeper at one of the biggest clubs in the world) with a massive price tag and has done ok, he will get much better.
As for Hart, he is the best English keeper we have but is far from the finished article. Keepers reach the top when they get to about 28-34